Apparatus for flattening thermosensitive recording paper of a facsimile machine

Abstract

This invention relates to an apparatus for flattening thermosensitive recording paper which is provided to carry out a flattening operation during reception only, comprising a motor, a lever rotatably connected to a main body, lever rotator for rotating the lever in positive direction during the facsimile machine is in a receiving state and in opposite direction during the facsimile machine is not in operation, and thermosensitive recording paper flattening part, interlocked with the lever, for exerting a flattening force in opposite direction to the direction of initial wound on the thermosensitive recording paper when the lever rotates in positive direction and releasing the flattening force when the lever rotates in the opposite direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for flattening thermosensitive recording paper of a facsimile machine which is capable of sending and receiving facsimile signals comprising: a housing;   a recording head;   means for accommodating a roll of thermosensitive recording paper within said housing, said paper having a direction of initial wind;   a lever rotatably connected to the housing;   lever rotating means for causing the level to be rotated to a first position when the facsimile machine is receiving a facsimile signal and to an opposite position when the facsimile machine is not receiving a facsimile signal;   thermosensitive recording paper flattening means interlocked with the lever for exerting a flattening force in an opposite direction to the direction of initial wind on the thermosensitive recording paper when the lever is in said first position and releasing the flattening force when the lever is in said opposite position;   a motor having a shaft and being operably associated with said lever rotating means; and   a groove positioned between the thermosensitive recording paper accommodating means and the recording head, whereby during reception of said signal, the paper is pressed within the groove so as to flatten the paper.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever rotating means includes: a driving gear fixed on a shaft of the motor and driven by the motor wherein said motor provides rotational force to said driving gear;   a hinge shaft;   a rotating piece rotatably connected to the shaft of the motor on a first end and fixed on said hinge shaft on a second end opposing said first end;   a follower gear, mounted on the hinge shaft so as to be coupled with the driving gear, for rotating the rotating piece, together with the driving gear by the rotational force of the driving gear; and   an elongated hole having an upper part and a lower part, formed in a lower part of the lever, for guiding the hinge shaft whereby the lever is caused to rotate to said first position when the hinge shaft of the rotating piece moves down toward the lower part of the elongated hole and to a second position opposite said first position when the hinge shaft moves up toward the upper part of the elongated hole.   
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes a spring means for engaging said lever, said spring means being adapted to provide resilient support for said lever. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes a stopper connected to the housing, said stopper being adapted to prevent excessive rotation of the lever when the lever is rotated to said opposite position. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said groove is V-shaped.